Auto Train discussion 2025

pennyk · Jan 42025

From January 42025 forwardplease post comments discussing the Auto Train here. For previous posts regarding the Auto Trainplease refer to this threadwhich is currently locked:

https://www.amtraktrains.com/threads/auto-train-discussion-2023-q4-2024.86128/page-10

JWM · Jan 132025

Can anyone tell me if Amtrak has completed the upgrades and refurbishments of ALL the cars on the Auto Train per the link below? Alsoare all the Superliners going through some kind of car wash either or both in Sanford and Lorton. I assume the track is still "rock and roll" in certain areas. My wife can't fly right nowand I want my car in New Englandso this is the choice. https://media.amtrak.com/2025/01/image-gallery-auto-train-improvements/

OBS · Jan 132025

No car wash in Lortonjust window washing.

JWM · Jan 132025

OBS said:
No car wash in Lortonjust window washing.

At least they're washing windows! Thanks for the post.

BlackDiamond · Jan 142025

According to this video by Danny Harmon (Distant Signal) the cars go through the wash at Sanford as part of the switching of the train. This video was from 3 years ago so things may have changed. It's a pretty impressive operation.

Switching the Auto Train

b243923 · Jan 142025

BlackDiamond said:
According to this video by Danny Harmon (Distant Signal) the cars go through the wash at Sanford as part of the switching of the train. This video was from 3 years ago so things may have changed. It's a pretty impressive operation.

Switching the Auto Train

Thank you for posting this very interesting video very informative.

glensfallsse · Jan 232025

How do they work the car situation at Sanford or Lorton when the AutoTrain is excessively late? The Amtrak twitter account says they extended the drop-off time for today's northbound train until 5 p.m.but the southbound train didn't get there until 6:30. Do they have anyplace to hold all those vehicles for the next trainor does everybody sit in a line waiting to get in?
AlsoI assume there's no dinner on a train that leaves at 11:30 p.m. Do they save the food and make it tomorrow's lunch?
I'm taking this train round-trip at the end of February.

b243923 · Jan 242025

I am the south bound train to Sanford. The previous train arrived in Lorton yesterday a little late. Was in the line up waiting to get in at 11:30. We had to wait till all the cars had been offloaded and gone out the gate before they would let any new cars in. An Amtrak employee was going down the line of cars checking them in and placing numbers on the cars. As soon as the last car came out the gate the employee stopped and cars were allowed to enter the property.

disnycrayz · Jan 242025

We have been there when the train has been a bit late. As B243923 saidyou wait in line on the side of the road since they cannot start loading until the previous train has been unloaded. An attendant will go down the line giving the cars a number and giving you an ETA. If you are in the driveway section of the linethey will allow you to leave your car and go into the terminal. They will make an announcement when they want you to return to your cars.

According to some YouTube videos I’ve seen they have served dinner into at least 11pm. If there has been dinner service the night before and your train was delayed (we had 6 hrs one time) they gave us a snack box around lunchtime which included non refrigerated/non heated items like nutshummusbrownieand other small items. I always recommend bringing a few protein bars and your own selection of snacks just in case. In our 3 round tripsthe one 6 hrs delay was the worst which was due to weather with trees on the tracks. In our experiencea few hours delay has happenedbut the 6 hrs one was an outlier. I wouldn’t worry too much muchbut bring snacks in case.

Palmland · Jan 242025

On our very late Auto Train several years ago they provided Subway subs in the station. We had the 'emergency meal' (Dinty Moore on rice) for lunch the next day and pizza's for dinner that were loaded at a brief stop in Jacksonville.

We had a big lunch and got to the Lorton station around 2pm and were able to check in the car. So waiting in the station was more pleasant than in the car. But at some point that was stopped and cars backed up into the streetas is often the case even on a normal day. The inbound train arrived around 8:30pmwe boarded about midnight and left around 1am. This was not long after Covid so the subs in the station may have been replaced by a very late dinner on the train (which sounds very unpleasant) orpreferablyfor lunch or dinner the next day. We arrived Sanford around 8pm.

RebelRider · Jan 282025

OBS said:
No car wash in Lortonjust window washing.

JWM said:
At least they're washing windows! Thanks for the post.

Self-service window washing only.

Amtrak doesn't wash anything in Lorton and the car wash in Sanford isn't very effective.

JWM · Jan 282025

RebelRider said:
Self-service window washing only. Amtrak doesn't wash anything in Lorton and the car wash in Sanford isn't very effective.

Thanks. I've given up on the idea due to cost and rough ride. Hate the drivebut will manage it.

smile145 · Feb 82025

I was looking for info on these items for the Auto Train and did search the forums but didn’t find answers.
I see that you are given a specific dinner time when checking in. Is there the option of having dinner brought to your bedroom instead? Also for breakfast?
Is there any certain bedrooms or area of bedrooms that is preferable to book?

Thank you

disnycrayz · Feb 92025

Hello Smile,

So far we have taken the Auto Train 6 times since 2022. When you check in at the stationyou can request to have dinner in your room. (Althoughonce an employee told me that it was for handicap only. I believe she was mistaken.). They will assign an in-room dinner time. Your attendant will confirm this and take your order when they introduce themselves at the beginning of the trip.

As for breakfastsome attendants have directed us to go to the dining car - which they prefer since it gives them a chance to make up the bed. Most items are grab and go - bananascerealcoffee cakeOJ. But they do have some warm options which you would have to see a dining car employee about - sandwiches can be brought to the roombut I think there are a few other sit down meal options. But I have had 2 attendants tell us that if we wanted them to bring hot breakfastthey would bring us whatever we wanted.

Just rememberthis is extra work for the attendantsso tip them well.

After watching many YouTube videos and seeing the rooms in personI believe the worst room is room A because the corner of the room is cut off and the bathroom is actually backwards. Here is a great resource to see what room you have been assigned and to see if you want to try to move. https://travelswithkev.com/auto-train-rooms/

Please note that most bedrooms have a sliding door between them which remains lockedbut you may hear your neighbors if they are loud.

My one tip is if you can possibly afford itget the priority offloading. We have been the 3rd to last and very last car off the train. 2.75 hours of actively listening for your car number is a negative end to an otherwise stress free and enjoyable trip.

I hope this helps!

glensfallsse · Feb 282025

Several weeks ago I asked how they handled the station if the northbound Auto Train pulls in very late. Looks like I will get a first-hand demonstration.
I'm on 52 just north of Richmondwhere we've been sitting for a couple of hours. It started early this morning when a default detector (I believe that's the right term) went off. They said nine times out of 10 it's just a faulty readingbut this was the one time in 10. Something about a radiator (correction: later announcement said it was a coolant leak). So they went ahead at reduced speed without that enginebut then we got stopped at the bottom of a hill and couldn't move forward.
We're waiting on an engine they're sending from up north; we're supposed to be on the move around noon. I see 53's departure time has been pushed back to 7 p.m.
I do wonder if we'll end up in one of those situations where the crew times out. I assume they've been working the train since Florence at about midnight.
No big deal for me ... I don't mind more time on the train. I'm sure it's less comfortable back in coach. Snack Boxes have already been handed out. The big downside is we'll drive right into the teeth of Friday rush hour once the cars are off-loaded.
Update: Engine finally arrivedbut having trouble hooking it up. Still not moving as of 2:39 p.m.
Update: Train on the move as of 3:05 p.m. Beef stew has been broken out.

ET2020 · Mar 42025

JWM said:
Can anyone tell me if Amtrak has completed the upgrades and refurbishments of ALL the cars on the Auto Train per the link below? Alsoare all the Superliners going through some kind of car wash either or both in Sanford and Lorton. I assume the track is still "rock and roll" in certain areas. My wife can't fly right nowand I want my car in New Englandso this is the choice. https://media.amtrak.com/2025/01/image-gallery-auto-train-improvements/

We enjoyed the upgraded features on our recent Northbound trip. The new upholsterycarpetand lighting were all a very welcomed upgrade.
The early departure also provided a great view (& good pictures) of the train from our cabinduring the huge turn it makes in Jacksonville.
Much nicer experienceoverallthen our trip 3 years ago

ET2020 · Apr 222025

Just caught a price drop for the Northbound AutoTrain (Train 52) for March of 2026!

There were only 2 bedrooms showing availableand the price was discounted greater than 50% from previous.

Hans627 · May 172025

Does the city of Sanford still provide a shuttle from the station into town and back? We will be traveling on the Autotrain north tomorrow.

Thx

Palmland · May 172025

Hans627 said:
Does the city of Sanford still provide a shuttle from the station into town and back? We will be traveling on the Autotrain north tomorrow.

Thx

I saw it in Sanford about a month ago. Their website shows it operating Mon-Sat.:
Sanford Trolley

I’d recommend Hollerbach’s for lunch. If you are going tomorrowa Sundayappears no trolley. But we just check in at the ticket counter as soon as it opensI believe it’s 11:30am now. Get in line at the gate before thenit’ll back up onto the city street. Tell the attendant at the gate you’re going back out as soon as you check in at the ticket counter and he’ll tell you where to park temporarily. You’ll have to do that gate check in for your car when you return from lunch. Don’t be late!

b243923 · May 182025

There is a food truck at Sanford Station if you are looking for lunch

Anderson · Jun 232025

Any idea what low bucket is for a roomette or bedroom?

Chatter163 · Jun 252025

No luggage on the trolleyjust one small carry-on.

ET2020 · Jul 262025

Anyone travel on AutoTrain with a 2025 Buick Enclave ?? Our 2019 Model required the "extended vehicle" up-charge due to it's lengthbut had no issues in width. The 2025 is a little wider than the 2019 butbased on my measurementI get 82" wide with the mirrors folded in. The max allowed is 84"so I'm feeling confidentbut would like to know if anyone with this particular vehicle has already executed a trip successfully. TIA

railiner · Nov 252025

I’ve been thinking about the possibility of Amtrak selling off their entire Auto Train businessback to private ownershiplike where it originated.

Since it ostensibly makes a profitthere might be a market for selling itmaybe not.

Auto Trainother than possibly contributing to Amtrak’s bottom linedoes nothing else for the national network. It creates no connecting trafficdiverts Amtrak equipment and other resources away from the national networkand might even take away some passengers that might otherwise ride the regular trains to Florida and rent a car.

What do others think?

Bob Dylan · Nov 252025

railiner said:
I’ve been thinking about the possibility of Amtrak selling off their entire Auto Train businessback to private ownershiplike where it originated.

Since it ostensibly makes a profitthere might be a market for selling itmaybe not.

Auto Trainother than possibly contributing to Amtrak’s bottom linedoes nothing else for the national network. It creates no connecting trafficdiverts Amtrak equipment and other resources away from the national networkand might even take away some passengers that might otherwise ride the regular trains to Florida and rent a car.

What do others think?

If its a Company that features Luxury Trainsthe Prices will Soarand it would go broke like all such Operations have in the recent past.

As the old saying goes"Be careful what you ask foryou might just get it!"

railiner · Nov 252025

Bob Dylan said:
If its a Company that features Luxury Trainsthe Prices will Soarand it would go broke like all such Operations have in the recent past.

As the old saying goes"Be careful what you ask foryou might just get it!"

If another company took it overI don’t believe they would mess with what has been a fairly successful business modelhoweverthey would be much more able than Amtrak has beento “tweak” and improve its productto obtain even better results…

joelkfla · Nov 262025

railiner said:
I’ve been thinking about the possibility of Amtrak selling off their entire Auto Train businessback to private ownershiplike where it originated.

Since it ostensibly makes a profitthere might be a market for selling itmaybe not.

Auto Trainother than possibly contributing to Amtrak’s bottom linedoes nothing else for the national network. It creates no connecting trafficdiverts Amtrak equipment and other resources away from the national networkand might even take away some passengers that might otherwise ride the regular trains to Florida and rent a car.

What do others think?

Assuming the sale would include the car carrierswhere would a private entity get the passenger rolling stock? There were 16 cars in the passenger section of 52(25). It would require more than that with single-level equipment.

Amtrak25 · Nov 262025

railiner said:
I’ve been thinking about the possibility of Amtrak selling off their entire Auto Train businessback to private ownershiplike where it originated.

Since it ostensibly makes a profitthere might be a market for selling itmaybe not.

Auto Trainother than possibly contributing to Amtrak’s bottom linedoes nothing else for the national network. It creates no connecting trafficdiverts Amtrak equipment and other resources away from the national networkand might even take away some passengers that might otherwise ride the regular trains to Florida and rent a car.

What do others think?

What happens when it comes time to buy new rolling stock ? Not that I have much faith in Amtrak's APT accountingbut Autotrain's modest operating profit won't do it. That's part of what sunk the predecessor Autotrain Corp.

railiner · Nov 262025

joelkfla said:
Assuming the sale would include the car carrierswhere would a private entity get the passenger rolling stock? There were 16 cars in the passenger section of 52(25). It would require more than that with single-level equipment.

If Amtrak wanted to keep the passenger carsthey would probablyas a condition of the salelease them back to the buyer until such time as the buyer could acquire cars of their own. By that timeAmtrak might no longer need or want the passenger carsso whether the sale would include them might depend on how soon the buyer could get their own cars...

MARC Rider · Nov 262025

Regarding privatizing the Auto train: Why would Amtrak want to get rid of one of its best performing trains? Why do you think that a private operator would do a better job than Amtrak does? Would CSX even allow a private operator use their tracks at a reasonable fee? By lawthey have to let Amtrak run the train.

Auto Train discussion 2025

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